Menu-card holder.



J. L CORCORAN.

MENU CARD HOLDER.

APPLICATION mm OCL 1. m4

latemedJune 2, 1915.

.4 TTOR/VEYS JOHN J. CORCORAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MENU-CARD HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1915'.

Application filed October 7, 1914. Serial No. 866,548.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JOHN CORCORAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Menu-Card Holder, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide a sanitary receptacle to visibly hold a card of the character mentioned; to provide a device for holding a card of the character mentioned within the smallest possible compass; to provide a stand for a holder as mentioned revoluble to accommodate a correct viewpoint for the holder; to provide supports for the holder above mentioned, adapted to receive articles used in conjunction with said holder; and to provide a holder readily and easily detachable from its permanent or operating position.

Dmwz'ngs.-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a card holder constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.

Description.-As seen in the drawings, a glass open-ended cylinder 7 of proper length is provided with inclosure caps 8. The caps 8 snugly fit the cylinder 7 and are provided with centrally extended pivots 9. The pivots 9 have at the outer extremities retaining balls 10, which in service project beyond the sides of the standards 11, when the pivots 9 fit in the top-opening slots 12 provided at the ends of the said standards.

The standards 11, as shown in the drawings, are rigidly mounted on a revoluble tray 13. The tray 13 in service, is provided to support small articles for use at the table, such as salt and pepper holders, or napkins such as used in public restaurants. The up per ends of the standards 11 are structurally connected by the double-membered bail 14. The bail 1 1, as seen in the drawings, has side arms provided with offset sections 15. The sections 15 are spread to permit the passage therebetween of the balls 10 at the ends of the pivots 9. In this manner, the lifting of the cylinder 7 equipped with the caps 8 is facilitated.

The caps 8 are furnished with a number of operating projections 16. The projections 16, as seen in the drawings, are designed as balls to conform with the general pressed or sunken section 18, shaped to form a circular bearing ridge 19 for the tray 13. The depressed section 18 is centrally perforated to receive a button 20. The button 20 has an annular groove, in which is placed the edge of the central perforation of the depressed portion. The button 20 is compressed to rigidly hold in the groove mentioned the edge of the perforation referred to.

The tray 13 is provided with a pivot post 21 and a boss 22 surrounding said post to form a wearing surface for the upper edge of the button 20. The end 23 of the post 21 is screw threaded to operatively receive a nut 24. When the nut 24 is turned up firmly, the boss 22 is drawn tight upon the button 20 and the tray and fixtures attached thereto are then immovable.

In service the cylinder 7 is opened by removing one or both of the caps 8. A menu or other display card 25 is then rolled and inserted properly within the cylinder 7. A resilient spreader 26 in the shape of an expansible sheet is placed inside of the card and operated to spread the same outwardly against and to firmly hold in visible position the said menu card.

It will be seen that certain articles whose size permits may be placed within the cylinder 7 for storage after the card 25 and spreader 26 have been installed. The storage capacity thus provided is found advantageous to the complete utilization of the apparatus described and shown.

After the card 25 and spreader 26 have been adjusted and the cylinder otherwise used as a storage receptacle, if such employment be desired, the cylinder is replaced in service supported on the standards 11 by inserting the balls 10 successively through the openings in the bail 14 in line with the sections 15. The pivots 9 are then inserted in the slots 12 and the apparatus is in condition for operation.

Claims:

1. A holder as characterized, comprising a transparent, open-ended cylinder; a plurality of snugly-fitting, removable, opaque end caps pivot members centrally located upon and projecting from said caps; .and a resilient, expansive spreader disposed within said cylinder to press outward against the inner wall thereof.

2. A holder as characterized, comprising a transparent open-ended cylinder; a plurality of snugly-fitting, removable, opaque end caps; pivot members centrally located upon and projecting from said caps; a resilient, expansive spreader disposed within said cylinder to press outward against the inner wail thereof; and a display member constructed from. flexible, non-resilient material for being held smoothly by said spreader in 15 contact with said cylinder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN J. CORGORAN Witnesses:

E. F. MURDooK, PHILIP D. RoLLHAUs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Batents,

washinztomb. 0.? 

